January 26, 2025 at St William and St Agnes Churches in Naples, FL
Nehemiah 8: 2-4, 5-6, 8-10 + Psalm 19 + 1 Corinthians 12: 12-30 + Luke 1: 1-4, 4:14-21
At the risk of starting some domestic quarrel in your homes, I share with you a quote from Margret Thatcher that I think touches the heart of today’s Gospel. “If you want a speech written, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.” Now, you can argue the truth of that at home, but I would like you to consider it in terms of this Gospel and our mandate to assume the ministry of Jesus Christ.
We find Jesus in the synagogue reading a passage from a prophet who provided clues for the recognition of the Messiah and the beginning of a new age. Basically, that Messiah would be recognized by what he would do more than by what he had to say. After the reading, Luke tells us that Jesus sat down as any rabbi would to begin teaching. His homily that day is shorter than this one, and it is really summarized in one word, the first word, “Today.”
Politicians begin their term of office with an inauguration speech. In every way, this is what we have from Jesus as he now reveals his mission to the world which is basically to make visible and tangible the inner heart of God, who desires healing, wholeness, and justice. With that, Luke tells us that the eyes of everyone were fixed on him surely because they thought it was all for them, for this place so privileged and gifted with this home-town wonder boy.
When they find out next week, what it really means, things change.
That first word of his instruction still rings out in this place, “Today.” Tomorrow will not do. Next week, when I have more time, or when I can get some help is not what he says.
Reciting the Creed, or a lot of memorized prayers, is just talk. If this world is ever to know that inner heart of a loving God, it will not be because we talked about it. Justice, healing forgiveness, and the unity that wholeness will provide will only come because of something done.
The acid test of deeds over words never changes. Actions do speak louder than words. Jesus was a doer. His actions matched his word, or to put it another way, his words always materialized into action. Listening to this Gospel TODAY ought to raise a much-ignored issue today whether our faith has anything to do with justice, economics, poverty or any other social/political issue.
If the work of Jesus Christ has begun today, then his words are real and we make our faith real when we allow it to enter into our real world. There is no issue facing this world that can escape the scrutiny of the faithful. When we oppose murder on death row or in a hospital delivery room we reveal the inner heart of God. You know, we have a right to punish, but we have no right to kill. People of faith examine economic policies for signs of service rather than self-serving greed.
The Kingdom of God and our share in that Kingdom begins on the day when we say, “Now.” No more waiting, no more stalling, no more excuses. Today is the day when everyone of us stops talking, dreaming or promising something and starts doing something about forgiveness, unity, wholeness, and justice.